E-Learning Accessibility: Not Just Important for Students With Disabilities

• In Event: 49.089 - Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: 49.089-3 - E-Learning, E-Readers, and Information and Communications Technology Literacy

Abstract

In this study, we compared data from post-secondary students with and without learning disabilities on accessibility of e-learning scenarios. Twenty-four students (12 of whom identified as persons with disabilities) completed two online units, and screencasts of their on-screen interactions, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews were analyzed. From these data sources, we compared the accessibility barriers encountered and the students’ perceptions of accessibility of the units, and identified emergent themes on attributes of e-learning that the students found to be enabling or disabling. Overall, the data from students with and without learning disabilities were more similar than different. All students would have benefitted from removal of accessibility barriers, and thus e-learning accessibility was found to be important for all of the students.

Authors

• Kari Lynne Kumar, University of Manitoba

• Ronald D. Owston, York University